We Were so in Love….

The conversation went something like this:

Chris:    "Do you remember when we used to be so in love and sleep upside down in the bed?"

Me:    "no" (very confused)

Chris:    "oh"

The conversation ended and we both went back to our normal nighttime routine, baths, lunches, homework, and on and on.

Then before bed the same conversation continued-

Me:    "Could we talk about that sleeping upside down in the bed thing again?"

Chris:    "sure"

Me:    "Why did we sleep upside down in the bed?"

Chris:    "I think we were pretending to be on vacation"

(I did not think sleeping with my head at the wrong end of the bed was something you ordinarily do on vacation, hmmm….)

Me:    "oh, well"

Chris:    "I think you were pregnant with Maddie"

Me:    "What does love have to do with sleeping upside down in the bed?"

Chris:    "Everything"

Me:    "Are we still in love?"

Chris:    "yep"

I dozed off thanking God for my blessings, including love and humor. That is what makes the world go around, right?

Funny conversations are in order around our home place J    

Picnic and “Pedal” Boats

Chris, Maddie, Ava and I spent yesterday at the Breaks Interstate Park!

It is a beautiful park in the heart of Southwest Virginia.

We attended a picnic with some folks from Chris' new job.

We also rode "pedal" boats. The girls loved it!!

They squealed with delight and sang every song they could remember as Chris pedaled us along.

What a fun day!!

P.S Anna Beth and Sam started the new school year, we didn't forget them!

Why do you Walk?

Friday night our family participated in the Buchanan County Relay for Life.

I must say it was AWESOME!!

I took lots of pictures, but this one takes all.

Chris was a contestant in the "Womanless" Beauty Pageant.

It was funny, really funny!!

It raised lots of money for a really good cause.

We walked because cancer is terrible. Everyone is affected in some way by this terrible disease.

Princess Maddie is Three

Our sweet princess requested a "princess" party. She dressed in her new shirt, hairbow and pink tutu.


The party favors.....

Nay Nay and I made a birthday cake, not by choice, but it turned out cute.

The party table

Happy Birthday Madelyn Lee Austin!! We Love You!

I Hate the Stomach Flu and other ramblings

Maddie and Ava had the stomach flu this week!! All I can say is, YUCK!! Maddie, being only two does not know how to use words to alert us that she is going to vomit. Instead, she says "I need some medicine" or "I need a drink". We learned these "code words" from experience.

She was lying in the bed with me, she said

"Mommy, I need a drink"

I turn over in the bed

and

Maddie proceeded to vomit in my FACE.

I am talking my mouth, nose, ears, hair!!

It was disgusting!!!

Maybe the grossest thing that has ever happened to me!

I told Chris that there should be a required course during pregnancy preparing mothers for motherhood :)

So anyway, we all survived and in some crazy way, the stomach flu is good source of family bonding!!

a little miracle....... or two

Our little Ava spent two days in the hospital last week. It was a very scary experience that reminded us of the importance of gratitude and humility and an overwhelming sense of God's grace.

She was limping on her right leg. The peditrician sent us to a specialist and she was admitted to the Childrens Hospital. The doctors were using words like "infection" and "tumor".

The hospital had a huge playroom for the children and these awesome "child life" people that organized activities. Ava was covering her eyes and hiding from the bubbles.

After what seemed like an eternity (36 hours) and lots of medical tests, we were informed that Ava had a fracture in her right fibula. She is now sporting a little pink cast. I never imagined that I would feel relieved to learn that one of our children had a broken bone, but I was!!! I have a new sense of appreciation for healthy children. Take time tonight to hug on your babies, we are all very blessed!!

Wish List

My wish list is much shorter this time..................... I simply must have this awesome quilt from
Pottery Barn, and the shams!!!